Work on new center could start this month

Sunday, November 20, 2005

SIKESTON -- Ground could be broken for the construction of the Sikeston R-6 Math and Science Center as early as month's end, officials say.

Board of Education members awarded during a special session on Friday the bid of the site improvement package -- which will help prepare the site for the concrete contractor -- to Fronabarger Concreters Inc. of Oak Ridge.

The package includes tasks such as dirt work, storm drainage, site clearance and demolition, etc., said the district's construction manager Randy Bratton, vice president of Montgomery Martin Contractors LLC of Memphis, Tenn.

"They are more than well-qualified and have a good reputation. We are very pleased with them," Bratton said about Fronabarger.

Bratton said Montgomery Martin recommends the groundbreaking to be the week after Thanksgiving with Fronabarger beginning work the middle of that week. He estimated the site preparation work would take about 60 to 75 days.

Two sealed bids were received -- one from Brown Construction for $210,000 and the other from Fronaburger for $168,500, Bratton said. Montgomery Martin Contractors decided to go with the low bidder, he said.

"Originally we budgeted the package for about $268,000," Bratton said. "We try to plan for the worse case scenario. But the soils report was good, and it was a good piece of land."

With the board's approval, Montgomery Martin Contractors will prepare the contract agreements for the board's review and execution, Bratton said. Fleming Associates, the architectural firm hired by the district, should complete revisions on the rest of building's designs by Dec. 9, Bratton estimated.

"Then I'll take the designs for about a week and write a bid package and further explanation of 10, 15 or 20 bid items and put the bid packages out," Bratton said.

Bids will be taken in mid-January, and Bratton will meet with the board again to award the bids, he said, adding then the schedule of construction can begin.

The goal is to begin building by Feb. 15 or March 1, Bratton said. After that, he expects a 10-month schedule for completion, he said.

Also on Friday the board approved working with the Sikeston Board of Municipal Utilities to upgrade the water distribution system for the math and science center.

Sikeston R-6 Superintendent Steve Borgsmiller said part of the new code for the construction of a commercial building requires the installation of a sprinkler system.

As a result the BMU has offered to construct a new 1,200 feet of 12-inch PVC water main line to the school campus at their expense, and the school district will cover project material cost, which should not to exceed $23,710, Borgsmiller said.

"This will provide us with sufficient water and pressure for this phase and all the additional phases of the high school," Borgsmiller said.

And in giving an overview of the building, which is still in design, Borgsmiller asked the board for input on whether stainless steel or sheet metal should be used for the two towers and the front of the math and science building.

"What they currently have designed is the standard, 20-year warranty, pre-

finished sheet metal for the building," Bratton said.

To compare the two, Borgsmiller noted the Junior High has a sheet metal roof while the Kindergarten Center and Field House have stainless steel roofs.

Bratton said Montgomery Martin priced the stainless steel roof at an additional cost of less than $50,000.

"In the whole scheme of things, that's not going to be a big difference," said board member Greg Colwick.

Using stainless steel would be for aesthetic reasons, such as matching the Field House, Borgsmiller said.

"Keep in mind this is phase one, and whatever we start here, you'll want to follow through with," Borgsmiller told the board. "You're wanting to create a new identity, a new campus and if you want to change the roof, this is the time to do it. Or if we want to keep the common theme throughout, this is the time."

Borgsmiller noted in the coming weeks, the board will also be asked about exterior brick selection.

Bratton projected increases in the cost of drywall and steel products over the next few months.

"Our intention is to look at options and alternate items to compensate for that," Bratton told the board. "Right now we feel comfortable cost will meet the budget."

Borgsmiller said an exact date for the groundbreaking will be scheduled in the very near future.

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